30 de dez de 2011

Education chief Michael Suen Ming-yeung, who is suffering from Legionnaires' disease, may have contracted it in his private washroom at the new Tamar government headquarters.
Centre for Health Protection controller Thomas Tsang Ho-fai said four water samples taken from the toilet tested positive for the Legionella bacteria.
Tsang said the findings are preliminary and that final results are expected in about two weeks.
Confirmation that Legionella bacteria was found on the 11th floor adds to the problems experienced by the new SAR government headquarters' East Wing, which include cost overruns, behind- schedule construction and complaints by users of substandard interior work.
Tsang tried to ease the fears of other users of the building by emphasizing that the center has not received any new reports of legionnaires' disease.
The bacteria was not found in water or other samples taken from Suen's home, Tsang added.
The center has suggested installing special water filters and antiseptic dispensers in the new government headquarters. As a precautionary step, the center and the departments of electrical and mechanical services, water supplies and architectural services have collected more water samples from the building for further tests. " The center has advised the building management on appropriate follow-up actions, including disinfection and risk- mitigation measures," He was admitted to Queen Mary Hospital on December 19 after contracting pneumonia.
Suen was in intensive care for a few days but his condition is now stable. His leave has been extended to January 3.Ho Pak-leung, director of microbiology at the University of Hong Kong, said it is "rather bad" for Legionella to be found in a new building.
"It's supposed to be a modern building. It's not good to find the bacteria here, as it is usually found in old buildings with poor maintenance," Ho said. "The building's design may be a reason."
Ho said the water supply system should be checked to see whether it is the source of infection.

WESTERNPORT, Md. — Public health officials say one resident of a western Maryland senior-citizen apartment complex has been diagnosed with Legionnaires disease.
The Allegany County Health Department announced the confirmed case Wednesday at the Grandview Apartments in Westernport.
The agency says it's investigating the source of the Legionella bacteria. The germs are usually found in water sources.
Meanwhile, the agency recommends that Grandview residents reduce their contact with water sprays and mists, including showers. The agency also recommends that residents use bottled water or water that has been boiled for five minutes.
Legionnaires disease isn't contagious. Its symptoms resemble pneumonia, including high fever, chest pain and cough.
The agency says 139 cases of Legionnaires disease have been reported in Maryland this year.

15 de dez de 2011

ST. CROIX - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has linked five past cases of Legionnaire's disease - reported between March 2010 and August 2011 - with stays at Marriott's Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort and Marriott's Frenchman's Cove, prompting remediation work to the resorts' water systems.
The V.I. Health Department has been "working closely" with a team of CDC specialists to monitor the remediation efforts at the resorts, after an investigation into the five past cases, according to a statement the Health Department released Monday.
The illness was found in stateside residents who had been guests at the resorts, said Health Department spokeswoman Eunice Bedminster. They required hospitalization but have since recovered, she said.
There have been no reports of employees affected at either site, according to the Health Department statement.
The statement indicates that Frenchman's Reef and Morningstar Beach Resort has hired a consultant who led a cleaning project of the affected areas and treated the water system. Test results show no existence of Legionella bacteria, although the Health Department statement said the test results have not yet been evaluated independently by the CDC.
Health had asked the resorts to notify those who could potentially be affected by the bacteria: guests and employees, Bedminster said.
The properties asked for an extension on a deadline that had been set, and it was granted, but the deadlines passed last week without the notification to guests and employees going out, Bedminster said.
She did not know if, after the deadline, the properties had made the requested notifications, she said.
The hotel provided The Daily News with a written statement that did not address guest notification:"Marriott takes hotel hygiene and cleanliness very seriously. As soon as we were notified of the possibility of the presence of Legionella bacteria we immediately began to work with the USVI Department of Health (DOH) to address the situation. The Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resorts hired a consultant who led a cleaning project of affected areas and the treatment of the water system. "The latest test results taken after the implementation of these measures show no existence of Legionella bacteria in the samples tested. We have complied with the recommendations provided by the DOH, and we have successfully addressed the issue at the resort. The DOH has allowed the hotel to remain fully open for business and welcome our guests."
The Daily News spoke with Marriott Frenchman's Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort General Manager Jose Gonzalez Espinosa by phone and asked for comment on the Health Department's assertion that the resort did not make the notifications it was supposed to make by the deadline.
Gonzalez would not answer the questions unless they were in writing. The Daily News has a policy against submitting questions in writing because written Q and A stifles and slows follow-up and response.
The resort underwent a major renovation during the summer, closing May 3 and reopening on Oct. 6.
The Health Department's statement said that Frenchman's Cove has hired a consultant, and a "major threshold" in its remediation efforts is set to start this week.
Legionnaire's disease is a pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria, which lives in warm water supplies, said Dr. Lauri Hicks, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC. The bacteria that causes the disease does not pass from person to person.
"It really requires exposure to water aerosol that contains Legionella," she said, Exposure may occur from showering or with time spent in a whirlpool or hot tub where the bacteria that leads to Legionairre's disease is present, Hicks said.
The CDC informed the Health Department in October of the five Legionnaire's disease cases among past guests at the resorts, and the Health Department asked for the agency's help in investigating.
From Oct. 18 to 22, CDC specialists conducted testing, and the properties were alerted about the possible Legionella contamination, Bedminster said.
On Nov. 3, the Health Department notified each property of the CDC's conclusive findings and ordered them to immediately work on their water systems, including cleansing, superheating, cholorinating and hiring a private consultant experienced in eliminating Legionella from building water systems, according to the release.
More than six weeks later, the Health Department notified the public with the statement it released Monday.
Bedminster said that there had been no delay - and that remediation work began immediately.
"We have worked in good faith with both the resorts during what I have said was a monitoring process. We had some agreed-upon deadlines that had not been met, so we had to let the public know," she said.
Bedminster said that Health Department officials had discussed the possibility of enforcement actions with the Department of Labor and the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to get those deadlines met, but she did not know the outcome of the discussions.
"Safeguarding the public's health, including that of employees and guests, from exposure and threats are of the utmost importance to the Department of Health," acting Health Commissioner Mercedes Dullum said in the prepared statement. "DOH will continue to monitor this situation with assistance from the CDC. People should not be discouraged from traveling to or within the U.S. Virgin Islands."

14 de dez de 2011

OSHA estimates that 10,000 to 50,000 cases of Legionnaires' disease occur eachyeaftin the U.S. Legionella are a common type of bacteria that originate from warm water sources. The transmission of Legionella can occur when humans inhale aerosolized droplets of water containing the bacteria. CDC estimates that each year 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized with Legionnaires' disease in the U.S.; however, this number may be significantly higher because up to 75% of infections are not diagnosed or reported. Joseph Alien, senior scientist with Environmental, Health and Engineering (EH&E), warns that employers can be liable if an outbreak occurs at the workplace."Legionnaires' disease is a serious illness," Alien says. "CDC estimates that 5% to 30% of people who develop Legionnaires' disease die from the infection. Companies can face significant financial liabilities due to potential litigation, productivity loss, adverse impact on the brand and expensive reactive mitigation measures from an outbreak or even an isolated case."Hot spots for Legionella are hot and cold potable hot systems, showers, water faucets, humidifiers, decorative fountains, cooling towers, evaporative condensers and coolers, ultrasonic misters and whirlpool baths, he says. Risk management plan before an outbreak occurs."Trying to react to an outbreak after the fact generally increases costs . . . creates a crisis situation that dramatically and adversely impacts the productivity of senior management that are involved in handling the incident, increases the risk that a mistake is made as companies 'react on the fly7 and may result in temporary closing or restriction of the use of facilities while the investigation is proceeding," Alien says.He adds that an effective plan requires a multidisciplinary team that communicates across all levels of a company - senior management, facilities, legal and public relations. It will ensure that potential hazards are identified, plans are in place to reduce the potential for Legionella proliferation and that the responsibilities of each team member are clearly delineated. According to" Alien, a good risk management plan would be . tailored to each specific building, would be easy to implement and would:* identify risk factors for Legionella and Legionnaires' disease, including equipment, environmental conditions and operational risks;* define clear roles and responsibilities for both prevention and response;* specify testing and maintenance frequency, procedures and interpretation of results;* document activities for any required notification to regulatory authorities;* automate notifications, facilitate data reviews and organize documents.Allen adds that the scientific team must have expertise in biosafety, engineering and building safety, exposure and risk assessment, epidemiology, industrial hygiene and risk communication. "A multidisciplinary approach is critical for success in both reactive situations and in the development of proactive measures, such as risk management plans," he says.The Risk Assessment is very import.

TRADE ASSOCIATION SAYS MORE MUST BE DONE TO COMBAT LEGIONNAIRES’ DISEASE

7 Dec, 2011 17:10 CET

Deaths and serious illness resulting from Legionnaires’ disease is still far too prevalent in hotels, hospitals and other public buildings, and is usually the consequence of poor maintenance regimes or complacency. The HVCA says more needs to be done to combat this ever-present threat.

7 December 2011 – Most people remember the tragic outbreak of legionnaires’ disease in 2002 in the town of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, resulting in the deaths of seven members of the public with a further 180 people taken ill. Yet, almost 10 years on, incidents of Legionnaires’ disease in workplaces, hotels, hospitals and other public buildings are still occurring on a regular basis.
Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia which can affect anybody but primarily affects those who are more susceptible because of their age, those suffering from chronic respiratory or kidney disease and people whose immune system is impaired. Infection is caused by breathing in small droplets of water contaminated by the bacteria.
Water temperature between 20°C and 50°C is the range in which Legionella bacteria will proliferate most rapidly, with the optimum temperature believed to be 37°C. Legionella bacteria is however killed within a few minutes at water temperatures above 60°C.
Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association (HVCA), says that a regular programme of inspection and maintenance of air conditioning, water holding and water supply systems is essential if future deaths from Legionnaires’ are to be avoided. Mr Judd comments, “On average there are approximately 300 reported cases of Legionnaires’ disease each year in the UK and when clusters of cases occur they can typically be traced back to poorly maintained cooling tower systems, air conditioning plant or hot and cold water systems in offices, factories, hotels, hospitals and other larger establishments.
“Legionnaires’ disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia but it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of creating the conditions in which the legionella bacteria thrive by taking important measures such as a programme of regular inspection and maintenance of susceptible plant and equipment including regular cleaning and disinfection.
“Building owners and occupiers should be aware of, and comply with, their legal obligations, and these are set out in a single document, published by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), called ‘Legionnaires’ disease – The control of legionella bacteria in water systems’. This is a HSC Approved Code of Practice (ACoP), commonly referred to as L8.

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevent August report indicates cases tripled in the last ten years.
Legionnaires disease a potentially life-threatening pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria. The number of reported cases are tripled according to the CDC's report which had appeared in the August 19th Morbidity and Morality Weekly Report.
Flare-ups of the disease in New England this year are and unexplained according to health officials.
Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut total cases confirmed have almost doubled since last year and many sharp increases in cases are being seen in northeastern states.
Monday, November 28th, an advisory to all state healthcare providers to look out for and report Legionnaires cases. Currently, 18 cases have been reported.
Legionnaires disease is caused by the inhaling of an infectious dose of Legionella bacteria most of the times found in contaminated water sources such as whirlpool spas, showers, cooling towers and faucets.
Legionnaires disease acquired its name from the 1976 outbreak at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. This disease kills five to thirty percent of patients, between 8,000 to 18,000 people are hospitalized each year.
Legionnaires had come on strong in Massachusetts with 211 confirmed cases of the disease as November 23 upping the number of cases by 118 higher than 2010. Connecticut had seen 72 cases in comparison to the 47 last year.
This year New York 526 cases with Pennsylvania at 450 cases.
In July, outbreak of this disease was seen at the posh 4,000 room Aria Resort and Casino on the Vegas strip.
Other reported outbreaks have included Hamilton, Ontario four cases, a hotel in Ocean City, Maryland in September had three guests infected with the disease. Two nursing homes in Pittsburgh had a total of ten cases confirmed in September, three cases were hospitalized and no deaths had been reported.
Three residents of a Cleveland nursing and rehab facility had been hospitalized in June with the disease. HC info has cases listed which go as far back 1997.
With the growing population of older adults and other individuals who are more susceptible to the infection are more than likely to be part of the reason for the rising increase and most cases are not associated to foreign travel.
Outbreaks of Legionnaires disease is receiving the most attention by the media especially after 200 guests had fallen ill after attending a Playboy mansion party with at least four guests contracting the disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic Legionnaires disease usually develops within two to fourteen days after being exposed. Most of the times it starts with headache, muscle pain, chills and fever that maybe 104 or higher.
On the second or third day development of other signs and symptoms may include:
Cough that may bring up mucus or blood
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Fatigue
Loss of appetite
Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and nausea
Confusions or mental changes

Legionnaires disease usually affects the lungs however, it can on occasion cause an infection in wounds and other parts in the body which includes the heart.
Pontiac fever is a mild form of Legionnaires disease which could produce symptoms that include chills, headache, fever and muscle ache. This fever does not affect the lungs and symptoms usually diminish within two to five days.
If you believe you have had exposure to legionella bacteria see your healthcare practitioner. Mention any trips you have taken in the last two weeks and where you did stay. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the disease can less the recovery time and prevent serious complications. If you are at high risk immediate attention is needed.
High risk category includes those people with a lower resistance to the disease. Some of the factors which could increase the risk include:
Organ transplants
Aged 45 or older
Heavy smoking
Weakened immune system
Underlying medical problems such as diabetes, cancer, respiratory disease
Certain drug therapies such as corticosteroids
Heavy consumption of alcoholic beverages

Besides being infected by inhaled microscopic water droplets containing the bacteria which could come from the shower spray, whirlpool, faucets, water dispersed through the ventilation system in large buildings other associated sources have included:
Hot tubs and whirlpools on cruise ships
Cooling towers in air conditioning systems
Swimming pools and Decorative fountains
Physical therapy equipment
Water systems in hotels, nursing homes and hospitals

Legionnaires' disease, so far this year, it has documented 18, including 12 in the past three months, said Dr. Stephen Sears, epidemiologist with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Massachusetts, Connecticut and Quebec also have had significant, unexplained increases in recent months, Sears said.
"It's pretty usual to see sporadic cases," Sears said. "What's unusual is that (the increase) has occurred throughout New England and Canada at about the same time."
In Connecticut, health officials have documented 72 cases this year, compared with 47 at this time last year, according to federal data. Massachusetts has had 211 documented cases this year, compared with 118 last year.
Sears said he and infectious-disease experts in Massachusetts and Connecticut recently compared their rising numbers but could not explain them.
"Maybe it's warmer (weather) into the fall," he said. "Is it because we've had so much rain? Those are all speculations."
Legionnaires' disease got its name in 1976, when an outbreak struck people at an American Legion convention in Philadelphia. Legionella bacteria are common in water, and can cause a severe strain of pneumonia when inhaled in water droplets or vapor. The outbreak in Philadelphia, for example, was traced back to the convention center's air conditioning system.
The disease cannot be spread from person to person. Its symptoms include high fever, chills, cough, chest pain and muscle aches. Most patients take antibiotics and recover, although 5 percent to 30 percent die. The disease is most severe in patients with underlying medical conditions.
Maine's CDC issued an advisory Monday telling the state's medical community to watch for new cases, test for possible infections and report them. Legionnaires' is usually suspected when symptoms are severe, especially if a patient reports a risk factor such as recent travel, exposure to whirlpool spas or recent plumbing repairs in the home.
Legionnaires' disease requires a longer treatment – typically three weeks – with a different antibiotic from those often prescribed for more common types of pneumonia.
"If you know it's Legionnaires' you can target your therapy more effectively," Sears said.
Most of the 18 Mainers who have been diagnosed with legionellosis this year developed the full-blown Legionnaires' pneumonia and were hospitalized, Sears said. All survived, and have recovered or are recovering, he said.
Although Legionnaires' disease is associated with mass outbreaks from contaminated water, doctors in Maine say it is now more common to see scattered, individual cases. Institutions such as hotels and hospitals are more careful about sanitizing water and ventilation systems than they were in the past, so more common sources are whirlpool spas, showers and faucets, Sears said.
Homeowners can be exposed, for example, when they turn on a shower after a plumbing repair or when they don't heat their home's hot water supply enough to kill the bacteria, said Dr. August Valenti, head of epidemiology and infectious diseases at Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Valenti said he has been diagnosing Legionnaires' cases since the disease was first identified, and believes it is more common than people know.
"Probably there are more coming in (with the infection) than we realize. We do not always test for Legionnaires'," he said.
Valenti said he watches for the more severe pneumonia symptoms that can indicate a Legionnaires' infection, and routinely asks pneumonia patients if they have had work on their home plumbing. He said he treats all pneumonias with antibiotics that cover Legionnaires' and other forms of pneumonia.
Valenti said he is stumped by the recent increase around the state and the region.
None of the 18 cases diagnosed this year appears to be related to others, according to the CDC.
"We try to make links to see if there is any water system connecting the cases, and we haven't made any," Sears said.
The 18 Maine patients range in age from 26 to 89. They live in eight counties, with nine of the 18 living in Cumberland and York counties.
The CDC does not identify the towns where patients live, to make sure that residents of small towns cannot be identified, Sears said.
Alfred DeMaria, state epidemiologist in Massachusetts, said the increase appears to have occurred since August throughout the Northeast and in eastern Canada.
"We have investigated the distribution of our cases and found no common exposures except for a couple of circumstances," DeMaria wrote in an email Monday.
Some European experts have linked an increase in the disease to climatic conditions, although that has not been proven, DeMaria said.
"The idea is that wet and warm, but not too hot, weather favors the organism and its aerosolization," he said.

28 de nov de 2011

GILBERT, Ariz. -- The discovery of a bacteria that can cause a potentially deadly disease has forced the closure of a Gilbert high school.

Perry High School and the Perry branch of the Town of Gilbert Library were both shut down after tests detected the Legionella bacteria.
The tests were performed after a library employee developed whooping cough.
The bacteria can cause Legionnaires' disease, which is a type of lung infection.
While no illnesses have been reported at Perry High School, school officials say they are putting safety first.
Symptoms of Legionnaires' disease are similar to those of other forms of pneumonia, which makes it difficult to diagnose. A high fever, chills and a cough are among the most common symptoms. Muscle aches and headaches can be symptoms, as well.
Those symptoms general set in two to 14 days after exposure to the bacteria. A chest X-ray is required to diagnose Legionnaires' disease. There are also several lab tests that can detect the presence of the Legionella bacteria in the body.
While most cases of Legionnaires' disease can be treated with antibiotics, it can be serious, even deadly.
The Legionella bacteria got its name in 1976, when many people who went to a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion suffered from an outbreak of this disease.
The library will reopen Friday and classes will resume at Perry High Monday.

Man dies from Legionella bacteria in bath at Gunma hot spa inn

MAEBASHI -- A man in his 60s has died after being infected with Legionella bacteria in the bath of a hot spa inn in Gumna Prefecture, the prefectural government said.
The Gunma Prefectural Government concluded that the man had been infected with Legionella in the bath of the inn in Minakami after confirming that a bacteria gene type found in the man matched that from the bath water.
The prefectural government ordered the inn to suspend its business for four days from Nov. 25 as punishment for its insufficient sanitation standards.
After staying at the inn on Oct. 18, the man from Katano, Osaka Prefecture, showed symptoms such as a high fever and coughing. He was subsequently diagnosed with pneumonia caused by Legionella, and died on Nov. 6.
The prefectural government has detected Legionella bacteria about 1,800 times the upper limit set by the prefectural ordinance in the bath water.

22 de nov de 2011

Perry High in Gilbert closed after Legionella bacteria detected.
(USA TODAY - 22/11/2011)
Perry High School will be closed on Tuesday as a precautionary measure because Legionella bacteria was detected at the Gilbert municipal library on campus, authorities say.

"While there have been no reports of illness, we are taking extra precaution to ensure the safety of our students and staff," Superintendent Camille Casteel said in a statement.

The school will be closed so district officials can conduct more tests. The library was closed after a worker was diagnosed with whooping cough. That led to standard testing that detected Legionella bacteria, Gilbert spokeswoman Beth Lucas said. The bacteria can cause Legionnaire's disease, a serious respiratory illness.

21 de nov de 2011

TRACES of Legionella bacteria have been found contaminating the water at St Michael’s Hospital, limiting the supply of running water at the site.

The bacteria, which can lead to Legionnaires disease, has been found in the water, in the second outbreak of the problem in north Warwick this year. In June the IBM site sent staff home after the bacteria was found. The bug can potentially be lethal, with muscle pains and pneumonia among the symptoms.
Water has been switched off in one building of the site for a few hours at a time over the past week as maintenance is carried out.
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust operates the site, and has been in regular contact with the relevant authorities since the problem was found.

13 de nov de 2011

10 de nov de 2011

Two cases of Legionnaires’ disease have been discovered at the Keswick Multicare Center on West 40th Street in Baltimore, MD. Their symptoms began in September, and health officials have now confirmed that the patients are indeed suffering from Legionnaires’, according to NBC affiliate WBAL-TV. Both patients are expected to recover.

GE (NYSE: GE) and Sealed Air’s (NYSE: SEE) Diversey business today announced an alliance to deliver water and energy management services to Diversey’s cleaning and sanitation customers around the world.The announcement comes after a successful pilot of the alliance over the past year. Under the terms of the agreement, Sealed Air’s Diversey team will sell and service GE’s water treatment chemicals, water and process equipment, membrane and cartridge filtration products, analytical instruments and energy management solutions."The Diversey alliance will bring our leading water portfolio and services to an expanded customer base,” said Heiner Markhoff, president and CEO—water and process technologies for GE Power & Water. "As a leader in the commercial cleaning and sanitation business, particularly in food and beverage processing plants, Diversey is well positioned to connect their customers to our products and services, which will help these customers implement cost- and environmentally-efficient water and process technology solutions.”"Diversey is eager to bring GE’s solutions to its customers,” said Diversey President and CEO Ed Lonergan. "GE has the industry’s most broad solution set, including chemicals and equipment for effective and safe water treatment, which will supplement Diversey’s extensive experience in water management,” Lonergan said. "Diversey will expand GE’s access to an extensive global customer base looking for ways to protect their assets, drive productivity and meet regulations.”Today’s announcement reinforces GE’s commitment to improve water reuse, a key commitment of Ecomagination, a business strategy to create new value for customers, investors and society by solving energy, efficiency and water challenges. GE’s water-related portfolio includes the following products qualified under GE’s Ecomagination: ABMet*, advanced membrane, desalination, E-Cell electrodeionization system*, electrodialysis reversal (EDR), GenGard* cooling water solution, and ZeeWeed* membrane technology.The companies established a pilot program in 2010 to demonstrate the link between water treatment and cleaning and sanitation processes. The result was strong customer response following demonstrable improvements in water use and conservation as well as the overall efficiency of customer operations, Lonergan said."Effective cleaning is inseparable from water,” Lonergan said. "And as water becomes more scarce and expensive in many parts of the world, it is critical to manage water more efficiently while also providing clean and safe food and drink supplies.”Diversey is a business unit of Sealed Air Corp., a leader in food and other protective packaging solutions. The combination of Diversey and Sealed Air creates a new global leader in food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection. The alliance with GE also will expand Sealed Air’s operational efficiency offerings, particularly in food and beverage processing plants.For prospective customers seeking further information, contact Gaetano Redaelli at the following email address: gaetano.redaelli@diversey.com.---------------------About Sealed AirSealed Air is the new global leader in food safety and security, facility hygiene and product protection. With widely recognized and inventive brands such as Bubble Wrap® brand cushioning, Cryovac® brand food packaging solutions and Diversey® brand cleaning and hygiene solutions, Sealed Air offers efficient and sustainable solutions that create business value for customers, enhance the quality of life for consumers and provide a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations. On a pro forma basis, Sealed Air generated revenue of $7.6 billion in 2010 and has approximately 26,000 employees who serve customers in 175 countries. To learn more, visit www.sealedair.com.About GEGE (NYSE: GE) is an advanced technology, services and finance company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. Dedicated to innovation in energy, health, transportation and infrastructure, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.GE also serves the energy sector by providing technology and service solutions that are based on a commitment to quality and innovation. The company continues to invest in new technology solutions and grow through strategic acquisitions to strengthen its local presence and better serve customers around the world. The businesses that comprise GE Energy—GE Power & Water, GE Energy Management and GE Oil & Gas—work together with more than 90,000 global employees and 2010 revenues of $38 billion, to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; as well as other alternative fuels and new grid modernization technologies to meet 21st century energy needs.

Indoor Air Quality Test: Do LEED Green Buildings Meet Their Own Standards?

A recent article in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology cites a report indicating that buildings seeking LEED Certification, (buildings that are registered to become LEED Certified) are susceptible to spikes in fine, airborne particulates and may underperform in an indoor air quality test.

The report's findings were presented at the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology annual meeting. These findings suggest that LEED Certified buildings may not be performing to their own standards and that LEED Certification is not necessarily indicative of a relative improvement, when compared to non-LEED Certified buildings, in indoor air quality (IAQ).Except under certain workplace standards, indoor air pollution is not regulated in the United States.

LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the leading green building certification program in the United States and measures the performance of green buildings across a series of categories including site sustainability, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, environmental quality, building materials and resources. LEED uses its own standards to determine acceptable IAQ levels. LEED's standards exceed those set in place by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Fine particulates are defined as particles 10 microns or less (PM10). The limit for exposure to fine particulates is a four-hour average of 50 micrograms per cubic meter (mcg/m3). The current U.S. EPA standard for outdoor particulate pollution is a 24-hour average of 150 mcg/m3.

Air was sampled in 142 new buildings seeking LEED certification. The sampling was done post-construction and pre-occupancy, which is recommended under the LEED certification program. The four-hour averages were within the LEED limit with a range of 10 to 20 mcg/m3.

However, the results were poorer when the investigators simulated the effects of human activity by running a vacuum cleaner in the buildings, a typical occurrence in commercial properties. The PM10 readings spiked to as high as 60 mcg/m3 and even larger surges were seen when indoor sampling coincided with nearby construction activity. The indoor PM10 readings rose to 200 mcg/m3 for a period of 15 minutes, and then dropped to less than 30 mcg/m3 at the end of the workday. The researchers went on to study occupied schools, apartments, and offices. The team found that the PM10 levels increased well beyond the LEED limit when people were inside doing normal activities.

In support of LEED buildings, researchers found that buildings that fail to receive LEED certification tested much higher for PM10s. This suggests that the LEED program does help reduce indoor air pollution. The study did not measure levels of PM2.5 (particles smaller than 2.5 microns). The LEED standards do not set limits for these ultrafine particles, which may be considered more dangerous than larger particles.

By Stephanie Wang and Jodie Tillman, Times Staff Writers In Print: Tuesday, October 18, 2011 PLANT CITY — One resident of a mobile home park died, and two others were sickened, after coming down with Legionnaires' disease, health officials said Monday.

The three people lived at the Meadows at Countrywood, a 55-and-older community with 799 mobile homes in Plant City.

They were not relatives and didn't live together, said Hillsborough County Health Department spokesman Steve Huard.

"It is a little alarming that one of (the cases) resulted in death and that it's all in one community," he said. "We want to know where the source is, if we could possibly determine that, to protect the remainder of the community."

As a precaution, health officials closed two swimming pools and two hot tubs, potential origins of the disease, at the park.

Citing privacy concerns, the Health Department didn't release the identities or genders of the victims. The president of the residents' association said the victim who died was a man.

Health officials learned of the cases Friday, when the three had shown up at the same hospital. One died Saturday. The others remain under medical care.

Legionnaires' disease is caused by a naturally occurring bacteria that grows best in warm water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People can contract the disease when they breathe mist or vapor contaminated with the bacteria.

17 de out de 2011

A resident of a seniors care home north of Toronto has died after testing positive for legionnaires' disease.

Health officials are awaiting test results to confirm the cause of death at Bloomington Cove, a long-term care facility for 112 residents in Stouffville.

"A resident did become ill at the end of September and was taken to hospital," said Joy Marshall, York Region’s acting director for infectious disease. "Testing showed us a positive culture for legionella. That elderly resident died."

Marshall said no announcements will be made until they had the results of lab tests.

For now staff at Bloomington Cove are watching residents for any signs of high fevers, chills and coughing. Residents at the seniors home are using a waterless method for bathing as there's no water being run in the facility.

Legionella bacteria is spread through water droplets in the air and not from person to person.

9 de out de 2011

An Ocean City hotel is voluntarily closing a week earlier than planned for the season after three people who were guests developed legionellosis about a week after staying there.

Maryland's health department made the announcement Wednesday.

The health department says it has not confirmed that the guests acquired the illness at the Plim Plaza Hotel, and an investigation is ongoing. The three people were hospitalized, but none died.

The department says preliminary results from water samples suggest the presence of Legionella bacteria in hotel water, but final culture results are not expected until the end of next week at the earliest.

Legionellosis is a form of pneumonia caused by inhaling aerosolized water, or water mist, containing Legionella bacteria. Symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea or severe body aches.Wednesday, October 5 2011, 05:05 PM EDT

Three people who were guests at the Plim Plaza Hotel in Ocean City, MD were hospitalized for legionellosis a week after staying at the hotel according to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Worcester County Health Department.

DHMH health officials said in a news release Wednesday that all three individuals were hospitalized, but none died. It is not confirmed that the guests acquired the illness at the hotel, and the investigation is ongoing.

Hotel management have relocated current guests and closed the hotel.

As of Wednesday the investigation has shown that water samples from the hotel are being cultured at the Maryland State Health lab. Preliminary reports suggest the presence of Legionella bacteria in hotel water, however final culture results are not expected until the end of next week, at the earliest.

Hamilton public health is investigating whether four cases of legionellosis in the city’s east end came from a common source.

The cases were reported to public health over the past several weeks. The first person became sick on Aug. 11 and reported it Aug. 23. The three other cases have been reported since Sept. 22.

“Legionella is a seasonal thing so we do expect more cases at this time of the year. And, in fact, the number of cases is not large at all,” Dr. Chris Mackie, an associate medical officer of health, said Friday.

But public health is trying to trace whether the disease came from the same source in the east end, he said, noting that one of the cases was contracted while the patient was travelling outside of the country.

The elderly, people with lung conditions or immune disorders and smokers are more susceptible, Mackie said.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium, commonly found in large cooling systems. The bacteria live in water or wet soil and must be inhaled or aspirated to cause an infection.

The city has looked into about the half a dozen cooling towers in the area and did not find concerns, Mackie said.

A medical advisory was issued to Hamilton physicians, infection control officers, labs, intensive care units and other health care professionals to flag Legionellosis as a potential diagnosis for pneumonia cases.

Hamilton public health is investigating whether four cases of legionellosis in the city’s east end came from a common source.

The cases were reported to public health over the past several weeks. The first person became sick on Aug. 11 and reported it Aug. 23. The three other cases have been reported since Sept. 22.

“Legionella is a seasonal thing so we do expect more cases at this time of the year. And, in fact, the number of cases is not large at all,” Dr. Chris Mackie, an associate medical officer of health, said Friday.

But public health is trying to trace whether the disease came from the same source in the east end, he said, noting that one of the cases was contracted while the patient was travelling outside of the country.

The elderly, people with lung conditions or immune disorders and smokers are more susceptible, Mackie said.

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella pneumophila bacterium, commonly found in large cooling systems. The bacteria live in water or wet soil and must be inhaled or aspirated to cause an infection.

The city has looked into about the half a dozen cooling towers in the area and did not find concerns, Mackie said.

A medical advisory was issued to Hamilton physicians, infection control officers, labs, intensive care units and other health care professionals to flag Legionellosis as a potential diagnosis for pneumonia cases.